Dual network geographical radio configuration

ABSTRACT

Systems, methods, and computer readable mediums for configuring a radio system to provide network service access based on a location of the radio system. The radio system can identify the location and send a location signal indicating its location over a first network. The radio system can receive, over the first network, first configuration data for communicating over a second network based on its location. The radio system can configure itself to communicate over the second network using the first configuration data and subsequently provide network service access over the second network according to the first configuration data.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.16/529,703, filed Aug. 1, 2019, entitled “DUAL NETWORK GEOGRAPHICALRADIO CONFIGURATION”, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/048,114 filed Jul. 27, 2018, entitled “DUAL NETWORKGEOGRAPHICAL RADIO CONFIGURATION”, which is a continuation-in-part ofU.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/841,437 filed on Aug. 31, 2015,entitled “GEOGRAPHIC RADIO AVAILABILITY AS A SERVICE”, the contents ofwhich are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in entirety.

BACKGROUND

Many devices today benefit from wireless connections for much of theirfunctionality. When a person travels to a new location with theirdevices, a common task is establishing a wireless internet connection(e.g., using WiFi, 4G, LTE, 5G, etc.). Many times, the user cannot findany familiar WiFi connections and must manually connect to a new accesspoint. The user may attempt to connect to various “open” (i.e.,unsecured) connections, but these typically lack internet connectivityand, even if they do provide internet access, are slow and fraught withsecurity risks. There may exist a legitimate secured network, butfinding the security password can be burdensome. Previous attempts atsolving this problem include establishing a network of hotspots that allbroadcast the same network name (SSID). However, these hotspots do notprovide individualized wireless connections, present security risks(because you share your connection with a potential eavesdropper), andare unable to dynamically adjust to a user's locations and needs.

Cell phones have become commonplace and necessary across various walksof life. Sustained access to a cell phone signal is not only a highlyvalued convenience for consumers, but has become a critical requirementfor many professions. When a person enters a building, particularlybuildings with thick or multiple walls, they often lose cell phonesignal entirely.

Third-party services facilitating phone communications over WiFi or VOIPservices seek to alleviate the problem of poor cell phone coveragewithin buildings. However, such services are often inadequate, difficultto use, or even pose security risks as they often necessitate the userdownloading a third-party application, which may be compromised, ontotheir phone.

These limitations are particularly burdensome to corporate users thatmight desire corporate intranet access to their private network or wishto have branded WiFi at a certain location (e.g., a conference room fora client meeting). Building and configuring a wireless network can betime consuming and complex, which can be especially undesirable if theneed for the wireless network is only temporary. For example, a companymay send an employee to work in a remote location for a short time andit would be prohibitively expensive to establish a private wirelessnetwork for the employee. As an alternative, in order to acquirewireless internet access a remote employee typically must learn about analready available WiFi SSID and password and then establish a virtualprivate network connection between their device and corporate resources.

Developing a long-term wireless network can also present problems andlimitations. Traditionally, radio emitter placement within a city canbecome a complex ordeal, requiring skilled network engineers toconfigure and place with meticulous precision. Interference, coverage,power, and cost constraints increase the complexity of provisioning astatic system. Further, leasing property, building towers, andovercoming regulatory obstructions can be costly and time consuming. Attimes, there may be motivation to increase the coverage of an existingwireless network, but adding towers can similarly be inconvenient orexpensive. One approach is to permit users to purchase and install“microcells” that connect to the internet via cable. However, thesemicrocell units can interfere with existing wireless signals and are notdynamically configurable.

SUMMARY

Additional features and advantages of the disclosure will be set forthin the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from thedescription, or can be learned by practice of the herein disclosedprinciples. The features and advantages of the disclosure can berealized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinationsparticularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and otherfeatures of the disclosure will become more fully apparent from thefollowing description and appended claims, or can be learned by thepractice of the principles set forth herein.

Disclosed are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readablestorage media for provisioning and managing a radio virtual machine.

An example system can have a processor, a radio, and memory. The memorycan have instructions that can be executed by the processor to perform amethod. The method can include determining the device's location andsending its location over a network. The method can also includereceiving configuration data over the network from a server and usingthe configuration data to configure the radio for another network.Subsequently, the system can send and receive data from connecteddevices over this new network.

In some embodiments, the system is housed within a power-strip orsimilar housing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to describe the manner in which the above-recited and otheradvantages and features of the disclosure can be obtained, a moreparticular description of the principles briefly described above will berendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which areillustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawingsdepict only exemplary embodiments of the disclosure and are nottherefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the principlesherein are described and explained with additional specificity anddetail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example radio system;

FIG. 2 shows various example connections and networks using radiosystem;

FIG. 3 shows various radio virtual machines operating on one physicallayer;

FIG. 4A shows various radio systems positioned throughout an examplecity building layout;

FIG. 4B shows various radio systems positioned throughout an examplebuilding layout;

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B depict example radio system embodiments; and

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate example possible system embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the disclosure are discussed in detail below.While specific implementations are discussed, it should be understoodthat this is done for illustration purposes only. A person skilled inthe relevant art will recognize that other components and configurationsmay be used without parting from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

As used herein the term “configured” shall be considered tointerchangeably be used to refer to configured and configurable, unlessthe term “configurable” is explicitly used to distinguish from“configured”. The proper understanding of the term will be apparent topersons of ordinary skill in the art in the context in which the term isused.

The disclosed technology addresses the need in the art for ageographically available radio as a service.

A wireless infrastructure can be established. For example, a company canplan out and install high powered radio towers in strategic locations.Alternatively, individuals might install low powered radio stationswithout central control or organization (e.g., WiFi). In someembodiments, a wireless infrastructure can be established using ablended approach of centralized control and individual autonomy. Acompany (institution, person, etc.) can give radio systems 100 tovarious people or businesses (“hosts”) who in turn can set up andinstall radio systems 100 as they see fit; the company can then manageand optimize the radio systems 100 remotely. In some embodiments, radiosystem 100 can be provided at minimal cost to the host, which can bestrategically chosen based on their location. A host can connect radiosystem 100 to their power mains and internet connection. Radio system100 can also contain extra functionality to entice hosts to use radiosystem 100 and keep it powered on. For example, radio system 100 can beembedded within another device such as a printer, power strip, homeappliance, WiFi router, etc. Such a radio system can be a “set andforget” type of system, requiring minimal maintenance and configurationfrom the host.

In some embodiments, radio systems 100 are strategically sent to hostsand installed in areas where there is limited wireless availability orthe current wireless infrastructure is at capacity. In some embodiments,the radio systems 100 are sent to places that are anticipated to haveincreased future demand or otherwise have an anticipated need.

After radio system 100 is powered on at a location, a central controlserver can connect to radio system 100. The central control server canthen send configuration data to radio system 100. Configuration data caninclude broadcast frequencies, broadcast power, connection information(e.g., to connect to another network), etc. Configuration data can bespecific to a network, and the radio system 100 can receiveconfiguration data for different networks (e.g., WiFi, cellular, 3G, 4G,LTE, 5G, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.). For example, the radio system 100 canreceive configuration data for a cellular network and configuration datafor a WiFi connection and subsequently use the configuration data tocommunicate over the cellular network and the WiFi connection. In onesuch example, using multiple virtual radios. During or afterinitialization, central control server can configure or reconfigureradio system 100 according to various needs. For example, a person maydesire wireless coverage of a certain type in a certain geographicalarea during a certain time and, in some examples, a central controlserver can configure radio systems 100 within the area according to thecurrent needs. In this manner, central control server can make radiosystems 100 available for various users in a dynamic and need-based way.This enables the company that manages the radio systems 100 and thecentral control server to be a provider of “Radio Availability as aService” (RAaaS) for customers wanting wireless availability in certainareas.

The central control server can communicate with the radio system 100 andvice versa, at least in part, over an applicable network. Morespecifically, the central control server and the radio system 100 cancommunicate with each other, at least in part, through a cellularnetwork (e.g., 2G, 3G, 4G, LTE, 5G, etc). For example, the centralcontrol server can receive data indicating a device's/radio system'slocation through a cellular network. Subsequently, the central controlserver can send configuration data to the radio system 100 over thecellular network. The configuration data to the radio system 100 can besent from the central control server based on the central control serverreceiving location data from the radio system 100. For example, theradio system 100 can be turned on and send its location information tothe central control server. Subsequently, the central control server cansend configuration data to the radio system to enable the device toconfigure itself to operate at the location at which it is deployed. Forexample, radio system 100 can configured one or more virtual radios ofdiffering network types (e.g., WiFi, Bluetooth, NFC, etc.).

The radio system 100 can receive new configuration data, e.g. after ithas already received configuration data. More specifically, the radiosystem 100 can receive first configuration data and use the firstconfiguration data to configure itself to operate. Subsequently, theradio system 100 can receive second configuration data and use thesecond configuration data to reconfigure itself to operate, and so on.For example, the radio system 100 can use received new configurationdata to reconfigure itself to operate in different networks, e.g. in aWiFi network, a cellular network, Bluetooth network, etc.

The configuration data, e.g. new configuration data, can be generated bythe central control server based on a location of the radio system 100.Specifically, the central control server can generate configuration datafor the radio system 100 based on the radio system 100 being within aspecific area, e.g. as indicated by location data received at thecentral control server from the radio system 100. Subsequently, theconfiguration data can be provided to the radio system 100 which canthen be configured, e.g. configure itself, using the configuration datagenerated based on the radio system 100 being within the specific area.

FIG. 1 depicts an example radio system 100. In some embodiments, radiosystem 100 includes processor 102, GPS 104, memory 106, sensors 108,radio 110, power component 114 and wired networking interface 116.Processor 102 can coordinate data transfer between various components ofradio system 100.

GPS 104 can interpret data from GPS (or similar) satellites to determineradio system 100's position. Because GPS 104 can draw a large amount ofpower, radio system 100 can also rely on other applicable locationidentifying techniques to determine radio system 100's position. Forexample, radio system 100 can learn its location for a neighboringdevice; it can also detect nearby wireless signals and, can send out“ping” messages, use a database containing the origination location ofthe nearby wireless signals, or triangulate its position. In someembodiments, radio system 100 is sent (for example, by the companyrunning the RAaaS) to a predetermined location and, before transit,radio system 100 is programmed with its destination location. Radiosystem 100 can also only use GPS 104 periodically to conserve power.

Radio system 100 can gain environmental awareness using sensors 108.Sensors can include accelerometer(s), gyro(s), ambient light sensors, abutton, a camera, barometer, pressure sensor, etc. In some embodiments,sensors 108 can detect persons within the vicinity. In some embodiments,radio system 100 can learn environmental information (location,orientation, etc.) from a neighboring device. Specifically, the radiosystem 100 can learn environmental information of a neighboring devicefrom either or both data received from the neighboring device andsignals received from the neighboring device. For example, the radiosystem 100 can use a received signal strength of signals received from aneighboring device, e.g. indicated or quantified by a received signalstrength indicator (herein referred to as “RSSI”), to identify alocation of the neighboring device, e.g. with respect to the radiosystem. In another example, the radio system 100 can receive data from aneighboring device indicating a geographic location of the neighboringdevice. Subsequently, the radio system 100 can identify its own positionbased on the geographic location of the neighboring device, e.g. using aknown position of the radio system 100 relative to the neighboringdevice and the geographic location of the neighboring device.

Radio 110 can send and receive data in compliance with one or aplurality of applicable wireless communication protocols, such as802.11x (WiFi), FM/AM, NFC, Bluetooth®, Zigbee® pager, etc. In someembodiments, radio 110 is manufactured specifically for one signal.Alternatively, radio 110 can be reconfigured during operation, forexample, it could interpret WiFi signals and then reconfigure forcommunication using signals of a different frequency. In someembodiments, radio 110 is a software defined radio (SDR). An SDR is atype of radio that can send/receive signals over a spectrum offrequencies simultaneously. In some examples, the SDR can includemultiple virtual antennas that can be reconfigured dynamically. Forexample, the SDR can include a virtual antenna that is first configuredto transmit/receive signals over a Bluetooth® connection and issubsequently reconfigured to transmit/receive signals over a WiFIconnection. In some embodiments, radio 110 can include a combination ofantennas (and corresponding transceivers) for various benefits. Forexample, multiple antennas can use precoding or beamforming to increasethe gain of the signal at a receiver's location or multiple antennas canuse spatial multiplexing for greater throughput. Multiple antennas canalso operate on diverse frequencies. For example, one antenna can betransmitting AM/FM signals while another operates at higher frequencies(e.g., 2.4 GHz). In other examples, one antenna can be configured forWiFi while another operates at on broadband cellular (e.g., 4G, LTE, 5G,etc.). In some embodiments, multiple protocols that share the samefrequency such as Bluetooth®, WiFi, and ZigBee® can share an antenna andcan operate simultaneously. Thus configured, radio 110 can transmit andreceive signals simultaneously with various devices over a large spreadof frequencies and protocols. Radio system 100 also can broadcast oradvertise multiple wireless signatures simultaneously (e.g., BSSID,SSID, MAC address, cell tower ID). In some embodiments, radio 110 has adirectional antenna, providing increased power along a certain vector,plane, or region. In some embodiments, radio system 100 can includemultiple radios 100. The multiple radios 100 can be configured fordifferent frequencies, channels, protocols, clients, etc.

Power component 114 can be an internal power source such as a battery orcapacity, an external power source, or a combination of the two. In someembodiments, power component 114 harvests wireless radiation energy forradio system 100's operation. In some embodiments, wireless radiationenergy emanates from a power emitter that is separate from radio system100 to be captured by power component 114. Alternatively, radio system100 can harvest wireless radiation energy that is ambientelectromagnetic energy. In some embodiments, power component 114provides radio 110 functionality. For example, power component 114 canbe connected to a building's electrical network and the wire of thebuilding's electrical network can serve as an antenna for radio system100. In some embodiments, power component 114 can supply power toexternal devices as well. For example, radio system 100 can act as astandard “power strip” as described below.

In some embodiments, wired networking interface 116 provides a physicalconnection to a network. For example, wired networking interface 116 canconnect over Ethernet (e.g., IEEE 802.3), cable (e.g., DOCSIS), fiber,telephone, power-line communication, etc. Wired networking interface 116can connect to an internet backbone for wide area communication. In someembodiments, radio system 100 receives configuration information overwired networking interface 116; this configuration information caninclude radio 110 settings, frequencies, and protocols. In someembodiments, radio system 100 serves as a wireless base station oraccess point providing internet gateway services to clients to radiosystem 100 connected via radio 110.

FIG. 2 shows various example connections and networks using radio system100. Radio system 100 can communicate with configuration server 202 byvarious means, shown with radio systems 100 _(a)-100 _(e) andcommunication links 250-263. Each of example radio systems 100 _(a)-100_(e) represents various network placements of radio system 100. Forexample, example radio system 100 _(e) can directly communicate toconfiguration server 202. Alternatively, radio system 100 can connect byway of the internet 204, as is done with example radio systems 100_(a)-100 _(d). In some embodiments, example radio system 100 _(a) canconnect directly to radio system 100 _(b) which then communicates withconfiguration server 202, either through internet 204 or other means.

In some embodiments, radio system 100 can connect to backhaul server 206as depicted with example radio systems 100 _(c) and 100 _(d). Backhaulserver 206 can thus communicate with configuration server 202 andconfigure example radio systems 100 _(c) and 100 _(d) according to thecommunication. Specifically, configuration server 202 can generateconfiguration instructions, e.g. based on a location of the radio system100. Subsequently, the backhaul server 206 can configure the radiosystem 100 based on the configuration instructions generated by theconfiguration server 202. In some embodiments, configuration server 202is connected to or runs a configuration administrator platform that canmanage the customers that request RAaaS. For example, the configurationadministrator platform can receive requests, balance priorities,facilitate automatic or manual bidding for resources, manage billing,detect and orchestrate repairs to radio systems 100 and the networkinfrastructure, and start and stop services as needed. In someembodiments, radio systems 100 _(c) and 100 _(d) have limitedcomputational, storage, power, or bandwidth capabilities in comparisonto backhaul server 206. In some such embodiments, backhaul server 206can supplement the capabilities of radio systems 100 _(c) and 100 _(d).For example, backhaul server 206 can process data received on radiosystems 100 _(c) and 100 _(d). Another example includes backhaul server206 containing data that is accessible to client machines via radiosystems 100 _(c) and 100 _(d), thus establishing radio systems 100 _(c)and 100 _(d) as wireless interfaces to backhaul server 206. For example,if radio systems 100 _(c) and 100 _(d) were positioned in a sportsarena, backhaul server 206 can store instant replays of the event inmemory; client devices can then access the instant replays via radiosystems 100 _(c) and 100 _(d), avoiding any need for clients tocommunicate across the internet to other servers. Backhaul server 206can be a virtual machine or physical system. Although two radio systems100 _(c) and 100 _(d) are depicted as being connected to backhaul server206, more or fewer radio systems can be connected. In some embodiments,backhaul server 206 provides wireless or direct power to radio systems100 _(c) and 100 _(d).

Connections 250-262 can be established through various means known inthe art. For example, they can be wireless or wired, secured orunsecured, continuous or on-demand, or any combination of the foregoing.Connections 250-262 represent end-points in a communication, it shouldbe understood that various intermediaries can facilitate the linkagesrepresented by connections 250-262. In some embodiments, radio system100 can opportunistically search out a connection (e.g., connections250-262). For example, radio system 100 can detect an unsecured (“open”)WiFi connection. Radio system can prioritize between various connections250-262. In some embodiments, radio system 100 uses one connection toacquire configuration information about another connection. For example,radio system 100 can communicate over a low-bandwidth radio network toacquire authorization keys that can be used to connect to a high-speedwired network. In some embodiments, radio system 100 can utilizefrequency hopping for a variety of purposes, for example, to find thebest frequency or collection of frequencies (e.g., best signal to noiseratio) or to minimize radio interference that may come in random burstsin one channel. In some embodiments, radio system can utilize protocolhopping in addition to (or instead of) frequency hopping for a varietyof purposes. For example, as bandwidth and signal strength demandschange, radio system 100 and a connected device can hop between 4G, 5G,Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and NFC while still retaining interconnectivity. Ifone frequency or protocol becomes undesirably crowded, radio system 100can attempt “hopping” to another frequency or protocol.

The principles herein disclosed can provide advantages within a cloudinfrastructure. A cloud, in networking contexts, is a method and systemthat hides underlying complexities of the system. For example, a cloudstorage solution presents a user with a certain amount of continuousavailable storage space, despite the fact that the storage may reside onmultiple disks, machines, and networks. If one disk fails, a networkengineer can repair the disk using a backup without needing to notifythe user. The cloud therefore allows a user to interact with asimplified representation of resources while a separate entity maintainsthe underlying infrastructure.

The principles in this disclosure facilitate a cloud based radio systemwhereby a user can request a wireless resource on a certainfrequency/band/channel, modulation technique, protocol, and geographicallocation/area. The user can also request a data connection between thewireless resource and other networked resources. For example, a usermight have a preexisting cloud network infrastructure and the user mightrequest a virtual machine be provisioned that will attach to physicalwireless resources in a certain region. The underlying infrastructure ofthe machines, radio systems, and networking components, can be hiddenfrom the user. In this way, radio system 100 can be presented as a“radio virtual machine.” In some embodiments, radio system 100 has an“abstraction” layer whereby multiple virtual radio machines can beinstalled on one radio system 100 without one virtual radio machineinterfering or detecting another virtual radio machine on the same host.Multiple radio systems 100 can be presented as a single entity to a userrequesting the resource. Also, multiple radio systems 100 can bepresented as a single entity to a client that connects with radiosystems 100. Radio system 100 can have a secure tunnel with othernetwork resources. The tunnel can be established by configuration server202.

FIG. 3 shows various radio virtual machines 300 _(a)-300 _(c) operatingon one physical layer 304 (i.e., radio system 100). An abstraction layer302 can manage the physical resources from the physical layer 304 andpresent virtual interfaces for the physical resources to radio virtualmachines 300 _(a)-300 _(c). In some embodiments, radio virtual machines300 _(a)-300 _(c) are associated with different users/clients and areisolated from one another. For example, radio system 100 can service oneclient/user using one radio virtual machine 300 and service anotherclient/user using another radio virtual machine 300. In someembodiments, each of these radio virtual machines can operate on usingseparate radios, frequencies, protocols, etc.

FIG. 4A shows various radio systems 401 _(a)-401 _(f) positionedthroughout example city layout 402. Radio systems 401 _(a)-401 _(f) canbe various example embodiments of radio system 100. Traditionally, radioemitter placement within a city can become a complex ordeal, requiringskilled network engineers to configure and place with meticulousprecision. Interference, coverage, power, and cost constraints increasethe complexity of provisioning a static system.

The principles disclosed herein can be applicable to such staticsystems, yet applying these principles to dynamic systems can provideadditional operational efficiencies. For example, configuration server202 can determine that various radio systems such as radio systems 401_(a) and 401 _(b) overlap in coverage; it can then lower the poweroutput of one of the radio systems or change their carrier channel toavoid destructive interference. In some embodiments, configurationserver 202 coordinates radio systems with overlapping signals such thatan overlapping area creates constructive interference, increasedthroughput, or error correction. In some embodiments, configurationserver 202 can dynamically allocate guard bands in order to minimizeinterference from channels that are close in frequency. Configurationserver 202 can dynamically allocate subcarriers between radio systems.Configuration server 202 can also establish usage priorities and providesharing algorithms that enable multiple radio systems 401 _(a)-401 _(f)protocols, and client devices share wireless spectrum.

In some embodiments, radio systems 100 can report on the wirelesssignals they detect from other radio systems 100. For example, radiosystem 401 _(b) might detect a signal from radio system 401 _(a). Radiosystem 401 _(b) can then report on the quality of the signal toconfiguration server 202. For example, radio system 401 _(b) can reportthat the signal is subject to a certain degree of noise, containsreflections (similar to an acoustic echo), or other descriptivequalities known in the art. Configuration server 202 can then diagnoseany problems with the current configuration of radio system 401 _(a) andfurther configure radio system 401 _(a) to overcome the problems. Forexample, configuration server 202 can configure radio system 401 _(a) tospeed up/slow down its clock, change frequencies, change power output,etc. With data from various radio systems, configuration server 202 canminimize conflicts between radio systems.

Radio coverage can be provided in region 404. For example, a tradeconvention might take place within region 404 and the organizers of theconvention can request WiFi coverage within region 404 that bears theconference name (e.g., “Conference WiFi”). In some embodiments, allradio systems within region 404 can be configured to provide radiocoverage (e.g., radio system 401 _(a) and radio system 401 _(b));alternatively, radio systems that can cover region 404 can be configuredto provide radio coverage (e.g., radio system 401 _(a) radio system 401_(b), radio system 401 _(f), and radio system 401 _(e)). In someembodiments, radio systems 401 _(e)-401 _(f) estimate their coverageregion 401 _(a1)-401 _(d1) and 401 _(d2). In some embodiments,configuration server 202 estimates the respective coverage regions 401_(a1)-401 _(d1) and 401 _(d2). These estimations can be calculated basedon power output and frequency noise as well as historical coverageregions (i.e., a record of the location of devices that have been ableto connect with each radio system 401 _(a)-401 j).

In some embodiments, the location of radio system 100 can be determinedusing GPS module 104 in radio system 100. Alternatively, the locationcan be determined using other data such as sunrise/sunset, nearbywireless signatures that have known locations (e.g., detecting a celltower ID and looking up its location in a database), or based on whereradio system 100 was installed. Radio system 100 can make this locationdetermination itself or configuration server 202 can assist in makingthis determination. In some embodiments, after detecting its location(whether by using GPS module 104, detecting nearby wireless signals ofknown origin, or other means) radio system 100 can communicate itslocation to other devices (e.g., other radio systems and/or clientdevices).

Example radio system 401 _(f) shows how radio system 100 can configureits coverage region 401 _(f1) to cover a certain area within region 404.Coverage region 401 _(f1) depicts a possible directed region, e.g., itsacrifices coverage in some areas and enhances coverage in others. Thiscan be accomplished through beam forwarding or physically changing thedirection of an antenna or a reflector. Example radio system 401 _(d)shows how radio system 100 can configure its coverage region to besmaller (coverage region 401 _(d1)) or larger (coverage region 401_(d2)). This can be accomplished by adjusting the power output of theradio. Configuration server 202 can instruct radio systems 401 _(a)-401_(f) to adjust their coverage regions 401 _(a1)-401 _(d1) and 401 _(d2).Alternatively, radio systems 401 _(a)-401 _(f) can adjust their coverageregions 401 _(a1)-401 _(d1) and 401 _(d2) without instruction. It shouldbe understood that coverage regions 401 _(a1)-401 _(d1) and 401 _(d2)can be different for different frequencies, protocols, and networks. Forexample, coverage region 401 _(d1) can correspond to a WiFi network withone SSID while coverage region 401 _(d2) can correspond to a WiFinetwork with another SSID.

In some embodiments, the relative location of a connected device andradio systems 401 _(a)-401 _(f) might change over time. For example,example route 406 represents a possible path of a connected device as itpasses through locations 410 _(a)-410 _(g). At location 410, theconnected device is not within any available coverage region. Atlocation 410 _(b), the connected device is within coverage region 401_(d2). As the connected device moves to location 410 _(c), radio system401 _(d) can decrease power so that it covers coverage region 401 _(d1)and similarly increase power when the connected device moves to location410 _(d). As the connected device moves to location 410 _(e), it will bewithin coverage region 401 _(d2) and coverage region 401 _(c1). In someembodiments, example route 406 can represent a connected device moving(e.g., a person driving through a city or walking around a buildingwhile carrying the connected device). Alternatively, example route 406can represent radio systems 401 _(a)-401 _(f) moving (e.g., attached toaerial balloons), or movement of both the connected device and the radiosystems 401 _(a)-401 _(f).

In position 410 _(e), the connected device can be within coverage region401 _(c1) and 401 _(d2). In some embodiments, the connected device willhave two active connections, one with radio system 401, and another withradio system 401 _(d). These active connections can be on differentradio frequencies. Data that is to be received by the connected devicecan pass through the either connection or both. Specifically, theanother radio system 401 _(d) can gain access to network services orotherwise provide access to the network services through the neighboringradio system 401. Alternatively, radio systems 401, and 401 s can bothfacilitate the connection by sending data so that it arrives at position410, simultaneously and with constructive interference; in some suchembodiments, the connected device can be ignorant of the duplicativeradio systems. Alternatively, configuration server 202 can facilitate a“hand-off” between radio system 401 _(c) and 401 _(d). For example,connected device can establish a session with an internet resource viaradio system 401 _(d) and configuration server 202; once connecteddevice is at position 410 _(e), configuration server 202 can determinethat a hand-off should occur and instructs radio 401 _(c) to connectwith connected device; and configuration server can begin routing thesession data through radio system 401 _(c). Determining a hand-offshould occur can be based on a variety of factors. For example,configuration server 202 can instruct newly discovered radio systems toalways take the connection, it can have the radio system with thestrongest signal maintain the connection, or it can predict what radiosystem's signal may drop and establish the connection through the otherradio system.

In various embodiments, a position of the radio system 401, as itchanges, can be transmitted from the radio system 401 to a centralcontrol server. The central control server can generate configurationinstructions for configuring the radio system 401 based on the changingposition of the radio system 401. Subsequently, the radio system 401 canbe configured based on the generated configuration instructions. Forexample, the central control server can send the configurationinstructions, generated based on the changing position of the radiosystem 401, to the radio system 401. Further in the example, the radiosystem 401 can use the configuration instructions received from thecentral control server to actually configure itself.

FIG. 4B shows various radio systems 451(a)-451(d) positioned throughoutan example building layout 452. In some embodiments, the radio systems451(a)-451(d) may provide extended wireless network coverage, forexample via conventional 2G, 3G, and 4G networks. In some embodiments,the extended wireless network coverage can include 5G networks.Traditionally, wireless networks serving mobile phones operate at highfrequencies in order to achieve one or more of increased bandwidth andreduced latency, although these high frequencies are associated withreduced penetration (e.g. through walls and buildings). As such, it iscontemplated that radio systems 451(a)-451(d) can be arranged indoors inorder to provide suitable extended service coverage for high frequencysignals that otherwise suffer from reduced penetration. For example, theradio system 451(a)-451(d) can use lower frequencies to communicate witha client indoors and subsequently communicate over a high frequencynetwork (e.g. a 4G network) to a network backhaul.

In some embodiments, a radio system (e.g., 451(a)) can report on thewireless signals they detect from other radio systems (e.g.,451(b)-(d)). For example, radio system 451(b) might detect a signal fromradio system 451(a). Radio system 451(b) can then report on the qualityof the signal to configuration server 202. For example, radio system451(b) can report that the signal is subject to a certain degree ofnoise, contains reflections (similar to an acoustic echo), or otherdescriptive qualities known in the art. Configuration server 202 canthen diagnose any problems with the current configuration of radiosystem 451(a) and further configure radio system 451(a) to overcome theproblems. For example, configuration server 202 can configure radiosystem 451(a) to speed up/slow down its clock, change frequencies,change power output, etc. With data from various radio systems,configuration server 202 can minimize conflicts between radio systems.

Wireless network coverage can be provided throughout building interior452. Radio systems 451(a)-451(d) broadcast associated wireless networksignals 453(a)-453(d) forming a network (e.g., mesh, etc.) providingextended mobile network coverage. Each area of expanded coverage453(a)-453(d) grants users stable and otherwise increased signalstrength for their mobile phone. Overlapping and closely positionedcoverages areas 453(a)-453(d) ensure that total or near-total mobilewireless network coverage can be obtained indoors and regardless of wallthickness or material. For example, in situations where higher frequencymobile wireless networks would otherwise be unable to penetrate intobuilding interior 452, radio systems 451(a)-451(d) may provide suchextended coverage.

In other embodiments, radio systems 451(a)-451(d) may relay highfrequency signals (e.g., 600 MHz to 6 GHz, 24-86 GHz, 30-300 GHz, etc.)to locations that are not readily accessible to these signals (e.g.,based on the frequency signal characteristics). Generally, low frequencysignals can travel further and have better penetration than highfrequency signals. High frequencies (e.g., millimeter waves, etc.) canoffer faster speeds (e.g., transfer data at high rates—20 gigabits persec, etc.), but are limited in range, penetration, and can be absorbedeasier. For example, some frequency signals can provide more consistentcoverage, regardless of interior walls, but will be limited in bothbandwidth and range of coverage. Specifically, the radio systems451(a)-451(d) can be configured to receive high frequency signals, e.g.from a network backhaul. The radio system 451(a)-451(d) can transmitdata received in the high frequency signals as low frequency signals toother radio systems and/or clients. This can effectively extend therange of a network, e.g. a high frequency network such as 4G, into abuilding. Conversely, the radio system 451(a)-451(d) can receive lowfrequency signals and transmit data in the low frequency signals to anetwork backhaul through high frequency signals.

As such, it is also contemplated that radio systems 451(a)-451(d) can bearranged nearby each other, even with walls between them, in order toextend the range of such mobile wireless networks operating at certainfrequency signals (e.g., 600 MHz to 6 GHz, 24-86 GHz, 30-30 GHz, etc.).As depicted by FIG. 4B, radio system 451(a) may relay high frequencysignal (e.g., via low frequency wireless network signal) with associatedcoverage area 453(a). Radio system 451(b) may receive and broadcast thelow frequency signal of coverage zone 453(a), extending the coverage ofthe higher frequency signals to associated coverage zone 453(b).Furthermore, because the wireless network signal is of a low frequency,it is able to be transmitted through intervening wall 462. In this way,a low frequency wireless network may be extended to cover regions beyondits otherwise shortened range.

In some embodiments, radio systems 451(a)-451(d) may be plugged intopower outlets 454(a)-454(d). In such embodiments, radio systems451(a)-451(d) may themselves include integrated power outlets capable ofdelivering power to an external device. In this way, radio systems451(a)-451(d) are capable of being dispersed throughout a buildinginterior discretely and without sacrificing the use of a power outletfor other devices.

In yet another embodiment, radio systems 451(a)-451(d) may be connectedover a wired connection to network interfaces/cable modems (notdepicted). When plugged into network interfaces/modems, radio systems451(a)-451(d) may provide the possibility of connecting to a backhaulserver 206 as discussed above. Cell phones connecting to backhaul server206 over coverage zones 454(a)-454(d) and through radio systems451(a)-451(d) may retrieve information or files directly from theserver.

In some embodiments, the connected device will have two activeconnections. For example, a device located at position 460(c) may beconnected to radio system 451(a) while also connected to radio system451(c). These active connections can be to different networks such as toa mobile wireless network and a WiFi network or may be of varyingfrequencies such as a low frequency signal and a high frequency signal.Data that is to be received by the connected device can pass througheither connection or both. Depending on device settings, a defaultnetwork preference may be utilized to avoid, for example, data networkcharges from a mobile wireless network provider. Alternatively, radiosystems 451(a) and 451(c) can both facilitate the connection by sendingdata so that it arrives at position 460(c) simultaneously and withconstructive interference; in some such embodiments, the connecteddevice can be ignorant of the duplicative radio systems and stillexperience increased signal strength. Alternatively, configurationserver 202 can facilitate a “hand-off” between radio system 451(a) and451(c). For example, connected device at position 460(a) can engage in aphone call via radio system 451(a) and configuration server 202; onceconnected device is at position 460(c), configuration server 202 candetermine that a hand-off should occur and instructs radio 451(c) toconnect with connected device and carry the call; and configurationserver can begin routing the session data through radio system 451(c) sothat the call is not dropped when the device is at position 460(b) andthus out of the service zone 453(a) of radio system 451(a). Determininga hand-off should occur can be based on a variety of factors. Forexample, configuration server 202 can instruct newly discovered radiosystems to always take the connection, it can have the radio system withthe strongest signal maintain the connection, or it can predict whatradio system's signal may drop and establish the connection through theother radio system.

FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B depict example radio system 100 embodiments. Forexample, power strip 500 can house the components of radio system 100 aswell as various other components. For example, power strip 500 can havepower cable 506 that can be plugged into the wall for power and alsohave power outlets to provide power for other devices and appliances.Additionally, power strip 500 can have antenna 502 connected to radio110 of radio system 100 as well as Ethernet plug 504 for wirednetworking interface 116. In some embodiments, Ethernet plug 504 can beconnected to a router for network (e.g., internet) access;alternatively, power strip 500 can gain network access via power cable506.

FIG. 5B depicts an example radio system 100 embodiment. For example,radio tower 550 can comprise controller 560 which can house somecomponents of radio system 100 (e.g., processor 102, memory 106, wirednet-working interface 116, power 114, etc.). WiFi antenna 558, cellularantenna 556, directional antenna 554, and TV antenna 552 can allfacilitate connections on various frequencies and with various poweroutputs. In some embodiments, directional antenna 554 is configured toestablish a dedicated connection with another radio tower 550, anorbiting satellite constellation, configuration server 202, etc. Solarpanel 562 can provide power to controller 560 and the other componentson radio tower 550.

In some embodiments, radio tower 550 can be placed in remote locationsto provide wireless connectivity where running wires is not costeffective. For example, radio tower 550 can be placed (discretely) neara beautiful vista at the end of a mountain hike. This can enable a hikerto connect to the internet and send a picture that they just took at thelocation. A radio tower 550 placed in remote locations can also providecellular coverage for cellular users to connect with emergency personnelin case of an accident. In some embodiments, radio tower 550 can bemobile and can be placed where a temporary and unmet demand is present,for example for a sporting event or a disaster area where the presentinfrastructure might be damaged or at capacity.

FIG. 6A and FIG. 6B illustrate example system embodiments. The moreappropriate embodiment will be apparent to those of ordinary skill inthe art when practicing the present technology. Persons of ordinaryskill in the art will also readily appreciate that other systemembodiments are possible.

FIG. 6A illustrates a conventional system bus computing systemarchitecture 600 wherein the components of the system are in electricalcommunication with each other using a bus 605. Exemplary system 600includes a processing unit (CPU or processor) 610 and a system bus 605that couples various system components including the system memory 615,such as read only memory (ROM) 670 and random access memory (RAM) 675,to the processor 610. The system 600 can include a cache of high-speedmemory connected directly with, in close proximity to, or integrated aspart of the processor 610. The system 600 can copy data from the memory615 and/or the storage device 630 to the cache 612 for quick access bythe processor 610. In this way, the cache can provide a performanceboost that avoids processor 610 delays while waiting for data. These andother modules can control or be configured to control the processor 610to perform various actions. Other system memory 615 may be available foruse as well. The memory 615 can include multiple different types ofmemory with different performance characteristics. The processor 610 caninclude any general purpose processor and a hardware module or softwaremodule, such as module 1 637, module 7 634, and module 3 636 stored instorage device 630, configured to control the processor 910 as well as aspecial-purpose processor where software instructions are incorporatedinto the actual processor design. The processor 610 may essentially be acompletely self-contained computing system, containing multiple cores orprocessors, a bus, memory controller, cache, etc. A multi-core processormay be seem-metric or asymmetric.

To enable user interaction with the computing device 600, an inputdevice 645 can represent any number of input mechanisms, such as amicrophone for speech, a touch-sensitive screen for gesture or graphicalinput, keyboard, mouse, motion input, speech and so forth. An outputdevice 635 can also be one or more of a number of output mechanismsknown to those of skill in the art. In some instances, multimodalsystems can enable a user to provide multiple types of input tocommunicate with the computing device 600. The communications interface640 can generally govern and manage the user input and system output.There is no restriction on operating on any particular hardwarearrangement and therefore the basic features here may easily besubstituted for improved hardware or firmware arrangements as they aredeveloped.

Storage device 630 is a non-volatile memory and can be a hard disk orother types of computer readable media which can store data that areaccessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memorycards, solid state memory devices, digital versatile disks, cartridges,random access memories (RAMs) 675, read only memory (ROM) 670, andhybrids thereof.

The storage device 630 can include software modules 637, 634, 636 forcontrolling the processor 610. Other hardware or software modules arecontemplated. The storage device 630 can be connected to the system bus605. In one aspect, a hardware module that performs a particularfunction can include the software component stored in acomputer-readable medium in connection with the necessary hardwarecomponents, such as the processor 610, bus 605, display 635, and soforth, to carry out the function.

FIG. 6B illustrates an example computer system 650 having a chipsetarchitecture that can be used in executing the described method andgenerating and displaying a graphical user interface (GUI). Computersystem 650 is an example of computer hardware, software, and firmwarethat can be used to implement the disclosed technology. System 650 caninclude a processor 655, representative of any number of physicallyand/or logically distinct resources capable of executing software,firmware, and hardware configured to perform identified computations.Processor 655 can communicate with a chipset 660 that can control inputto and output from processor 655. In this example, chipset 660 outputsinformation to output 665, such as a display, and can read and writeinformation to storage device 670, which can include magnetic media, andsolid state media, for example. Chipset 660 can also read data from andwrite data to RAM 675. A bridge 680 for interfacing with a variety ofuser interface components 685 can be provided for interfacing withchipset 660. Such user interface components 685 can include a keyboard,a microphone, touch detection and processing circuitry, a pointingdevice, such as a mouse, and so on. In general, inputs to system 650 cancome from any of a variety of sources, machine generated and/or humangenerated.

Chipset 660 can also interface with one or more communication interfaces690 that can have different physical interfaces. Such communicationinterfaces can include interfaces for wired and wireless local areanetworks, for broadband wireless networks, as well as personal areanetworks. Some applications of the methods for generating, displaying,and using the GUI disclosed herein can include receiving ordereddatasets over the physical interface or be generated by the machineitself by processor 655 analyzing data stored in storage 670 or 675.Further, the machine can receive inputs from a user via user interfacecomponents 685 and execute appropriate functions, such as browsingfunctions by interpreting these inputs using processor 655.

It can be appreciated that example systems 600 and 650 can have morethan one processor 610 or be part of a group or cluster of computingdevices networked together to provide greater processing capability.

For clarity of explanation, in some instances the present technology maybe presented as including individual functional blocks includingfunctional blocks comprising devices, device components, steps orroutines in a method embodied in software, or combinations of hardwareand software.

In some embodiments the computer-readable storage devices, mediums, andmemories can include a cable or wireless signal containing a bit streamand the like. However, when mentioned, non-transitory computer-readablestorage media expressly exclude media such as energy, carrier signals,electromagnetic waves, and signals per se.

Methods according to the above-described examples can be implementedusing computer-executable instructions that are stored or otherwiseavailable from computer readable media. Such instructions can comprise,for example, instructions and data which cause or otherwise configure ageneral purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purposeprocessing device to perform a certain function or group of functions.Portions of computer resources used can be accessible over a network.The computer executable instructions may be, for example, binaries,intermediate format instructions such as assembly language, firmware, orsource code. Examples of computer-readable media that may be used tostore instructions, information used, and/or information created duringmethods according to described examples include magnetic or opticaldisks, flash memory, USB devices provided with non-volatile memory,networked storage devices, and so on.

Devices implementing methods according to these disclosures can comprisehardware, firmware and/or software, and can take any of a variety ofform factors. Typical examples of such form factors include laptops,smart phones, small form factor personal computers, personal digitalassistants, rackmount devices, standalone devices, and so on.Functionality described herein also can be embodied in peripherals oradd-in cards. Such functionality can also be implemented on a circuitboard among different chips or different processes executing in a singledevice, by way of further example.

The instructions, media for conveying such instructions, computingresources for executing them, and other structures for supporting suchcomputing resources are means for providing the functions described inthese disclosures.

Although a variety of examples and other information was used to explainaspects within the scope of the appended claims, no limitation of theclaims should be implied based on particular features or arrangements insuch examples, as one of ordinary skill would be able to use theseexamples to derive a wide variety of implementations. Further andalthough some subject matter may have been described in languagespecific to examples of structural features and/or method steps, it isto be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claimsis not necessarily limited to these described features or acts. Forexample, such functionality can be distributed differently or performedin components other than those identified herein. Rather, the describedfeatures and steps are disclosed as examples of components of systemsand methods within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, claimlanguage reciting “at least one of” a set indicates that one member ofthe set or multiple members of the set satisfy the claim.

1. A computer-implemented method for configuring a radio system, the method comprising: identifying, at a radio, a location of the radio; sending location data representing the location of the radio over a first network; receiving initial configuration data in response to the location data; establishing, at the radio, a second network based on the initial configuration data; and providing client devices access to the second network using the radio. 